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Worknman

Part of the Furniture Now
Sep 23, 2019
983
2,908
Is there something special about green tea other than its antioxidants? If thats the case then you could argue that eating a diet high in fruits and vegetables would have the same benefit.
 

Soundpostus

Lurker
Jul 21, 2022
31
21
Northern California

The Hidden Health Benefits of Tea​

March 04, 2022

TOPICS:

Food and Nutrition Preventative Care
Tea pot with assorted tea and spices on a table

What Are The Health Benefits of Tea?​

People all over the world have been drinking tea for thousands of centuries, and for good reason. Numerous studies have shown that a variety of teas may boost your immune system, fight off inflammation, and even ward off cancer and heart disease.
While some brews provide more health advantages than others, there’s plenty of evidence that regularly drinking tea can have a lasting impact on your wellness.
Put the kettle on, because we’re sharing some of the biggest benefits hidden in the world’s most popular teas.

White Tea Benefits​

Known to have a delicate flavor, white tea comes from the Camellia sinensis plant that’s native to China and India. It is also the least processed tea variety.
Research shows it may be the most effective tea in fighting various forms of cancer thanks to its high level of antioxidants. White tea may also be good for your teeth since it contains a high source of fluoride, catechins and tannins that can strengthen teeth, fight plaque, and make it more resistant to acid and sugar.
This variety also offers the least amount of caffeine, making it a smart choice for tea drinkers who want to avoid or limit their caffeine consumption.

Herbal Tea Benefits​

Herbal teas, sometimes called tisanes, are very similar to white teas, but they contain a blend of herbs, spices, fruits or other plants in addition to tea leaves. Herbal teas don’t contain caffeine, which is why they’re known for their calming properties.
There are numerous types of herbal teas, all with their unique benefits. Some of the most popular herbal teas include:
  • Chamomile tea – Helps to reduce menstrual pain and muscle spasms, improves sleep and relaxation, and reduces stress
  • Rooibos – Improves blood pressure and circulation, boosts good cholesterol while lowering bad cholesterol, keeps hair strong and skin healthy, and provides relief from allergies
  • Peppermint – Contains menthol, which can soothe an upset stomach and serve as a cure for constipation, irritable bowel syndrome and motion sickness. This tea variety also offers pain relief from tension headaches and migraines.
  • Ginger – Helps to fight against morning sickness, can be used to treat chronic indigestion and helps to relieve joint pain caused by osteoarthritis
  • Hibiscus – Lowers blood pressure and fat levels, improves overall liver health, can starve off cravings for unhealthy sweets, and may prevent the formation of kidney stones

Green Tea Benefits​

Green tea originates from China, where the leaves are processed with heat using a pan-firing or roasting method and Japan, where the leaves are more commonly steamed.
Green tea is exceptionally high in flavonoids that can help boost your heart health by lowering bad cholesterol and reducing blood clotting. Studies show this type of tea can also help lower blood pressure, triglycerides and total cholesterol.
Other research has found that green tea has a possible impact on liver, breast, prostate and colorectal cancers. This tea variety has also shown to be anti-inflammatory, which helps keep your skin clear and glowing.
In recent years, matcha – a form of green tea – has grown in popularity. Matcha is a very fine, high-quality green tea powder made from the entire leaves of tea bushes grown in the shade. Since it is the only form of tea in which the leaves are ingested, matcha contains even more antioxidants that regular green tea. In fact, some have suggested that one cup of matcha is the equivalent to 10 cups of regular green tea.

Black Tea Benefits​

Black tea is made from the leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant, the same plant that’s used to make green tea. However, the leaves are dried and fermented, giving black tea a darker color and richer flavor.
Unlike many other varieties, black tea is caffeinated, so it’s important to monitor your intake. When you do pour yourself a cup of black tea, you benefit from flavonoids that combat inflammation and support healthy immune function.
However, you don’t have to merely drink black tea to benefit from its healthy properties. It can be steamed, cooled and then pressed on minor cuts, scrapes and bruises to relieve pain and reduce swelling. A black tea bath can also ease inflammation caused by skin rashes and conditions such as poison ivy.

Oolong Tea Benefits​

Oolong tea is a traditional Chinese tea variety that’s made from the same plant used to make green and black teas. The difference is how the tea is processed: Green tea is not allowed to oxidize much, but black tea is allowed to oxidize until it turns black. Oolong tea is somewhere in between the two, so it is partially oxidized. This partial oxidation is responsible for oolong tea's color and characteristic taste.
Oolong tea is notable for containing l-theanine, an amino acid that reduces anxiety and increases alertness and attention. Scientists have found that l-theanine can help prevent cognitive diseases such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases.
Oolong tea is also high in polyphenols, which are linked to lowering inflammation, preventing the growth of cancers and decreasing type 2 diabetes risk.

Teas To Avoid​

While a majority of teas are beneficial for your health, you may want to steer clear of these varieties:
  • Detox teas made for fad diets that suggest you will quickly lose weight. These teas often come laced with laxatives that can be harmful to your health.
  • Fancy tea lattes and drinks from your favorite chain store. While some of these drinks, such as a green tea latte, may appear healthy, they are loaded with sugar.
  • Trendy bubble teas that are also loaded with sugar, calories and carbs, and have little to no nutritional value.
  • Herbal teas that may potentially trigger allergies. Many herbal teas contain different types of fruits, herbs, spices and flowers that some people are allergic to. If you have allergies, always read the ingredients on the package before you consume a new herbal tea.
 

warren

Lifer
Sep 13, 2013
12,349
18,533
Foothills of the Chugach Range, AK
Numerous studies have shown that a variety of teas may boost your immune system, fight off inflammation, and even ward off cancer and heart disease.
Never a definitive will, always may/can, possible impact and, so forth. Now, if they could tie some of this research to human guinea pigs' genes, they may/can/possibly be able to get more definitive conclusions. I stick by my belief that genetic make-up and a healthy immune system are the determinate factors when it comes to susceptibility to illness/disease. If ever science can prove that some food,drink or whatever improves the immune system I'll become a fervid tea or, whatever imbiber. Until then, I trust to my genes and immune system. Being adopted I unfortunately, can't research natural family medical histories.

So, I smoke my pipes, cigars and cigarettes trusting that I am not over taxing my immune system, relying on my genetic makeup. Those of you who have a wee voice in the back of your mind saying, "You're damaging yourself." Should, for peace of mind, quit smoking, drinking or other risk taking behavior. Otherwise, light up and enjoy giving nary a thought to the risks.

I can't see how a smoker, worried about the risks, can totally and without quilt, enjoy a pipe, cigarette or cigar.
 

OzPiper

Lifer
Nov 30, 2020
6,864
37,042
72
Sydney, Australia
Green tea, is for the “English”.:)
The biggest market for green tea is Asia - think China, Taiwan, Japan and South East Asia.

I think you will find that the "English" prefer black teas generally.
Usually taken with milk, with or without sugar, or a slice of lemon

Iced tea, though it has been around for centuries, is a recent marketing
exercise. An cynical attempt to sell sugared, flavoured water under the guise of "it's healthy and good for you"
 
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Soundpostus

Lurker
Jul 21, 2022
31
21
Northern California
Up to 60% of the human adult body is water.
According to Mitchell and others (1945),
the brain and heart are composed of 73% water,
and the lungs are about 83% water.
The skin contains 64% water, muscles and kidneys are 79%,
and even the bones are watery: 31%.
 

romaso

Lifer
Dec 29, 2010
2,036
7,880
Pacific NW
Being adopted I unfortunately, can't research natural family medical histories.
You could do one of those genetic tests and they often list close matches. My brother did this and found some obscure relatives. They'd have to be in the database though, if it mattered to you.
 

warren

Lifer
Sep 13, 2013
12,349
18,533
Foothills of the Chugach Range, AK
I could do that. In fact, years ago, the court clerk offered me a sneaky/illegal peek at the records, should I wish. I had/have no driving need to seek my birth roots. I was blessed to be chosen and taken into a loving family. I wouldn't have upset my mom and dad by doing such a thing. Pretty much any male can father as can a female have a baby. It takes real love, dedication and patience to be a mom or a dad. I was indeed, blessed with both. And, a couple of brothers also.
 

coys

Can't Leave
Feb 15, 2022
337
790
Missouri
Tea is healthy generally, so long as one doesn't load it down with sweeteners. Green tea, gunpowder tea, even the old standby black... it's all good to me.
 
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Soundpostus

Lurker
Jul 21, 2022
31
21
Northern California
Tea is healthy generally, so long as one doesn't load it down with sweeteners. Green tea, gunpowder tea, even the old standby black... it's all good to me.
Right on. Coys. For matcha, green tea, oolongs, white tea… the purer, the better.
for black tea, just a little honey or stevia to harmonize the bitterness.
for Pur-Er tea, I always add some chamomile to enhance its flavor.
 

rubyx20

Lurker
Nov 7, 2022
6
11
Dosn’t Tofu lower testosterone? Who want’s that...
Yeah, soy has phytoestrogens that lower test.

On the flip side, apparently smoking raises testosterone a bit! (i have no idea why)

I don't drink tea because I'm concerned about trace aluminum in it. Same reason I like a water filter to remove aluminum. If you enjoy tea I'm sure it's fine, but it's not too big a deal for me not to drink it.